BMW 8 Series
is truly to establish itself as a super luxury GT to replace the 6 Series, the convertible is perhaps the biggest test of it. While the hard-top will still be viewed as the more dynamic option, a larger and more luxurious BMW cabrio will surely be all about cruising in comfort.
Coming to a riviera near you. Or dockside, either or.
This is the first look at the convertible 8 Series, our spy photographer having snapped the coupe a couple of months back. Naturally there are similarities, both cars sharing some fairly hefty overhangs and very prominent kidney grilles also. From here, the lights, bumpers and exhausts look similar too. Beyond that it's hard to know much about the design at present, what with the very heavy (and effective) disguise. Fingers crossed that Vision Gran Lusso influence makes it to production!
However, there is one small thing. Looks like a canvas roof, doesn't it? Look a bit closer though, particularly around the back, and it appears that the 'canvas' is actually covering up a folding metal hard top. Very sneaky... Still, for ultimate roof-up refinement, a metal roof still holds an advantage over the best canvas alternatives. And this looks like being a heavy car anyway, so the weight saving would be negligible.
It's going to be a busy time for BMW sports cars, what with the 'Z5' apparently on the way too. Still, more two-door BMWs with engines in the front and power going to the back sounds better than another few SUVs. This 8 Series isn't due for a couple of years yet, so there will be plenty more to discover over the coming months. Until then, have you seen how (relatively) cheap M6 Gran Coupes are?
[Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]